And Daley Curry always hits a three-pointer at the critical moments, receiving a pass from Gan.
During the quarter, the Supersonics once expanded their lead to 9 points, seemingly heading towards a double-digit advantage.
But then they missed an attack, and the Trail Blazers countered consecutively with a three-pointer, and a 2+1, bringing the point difference to 3 points.
Now the third quarter is about to end, and Beelman has to call a timeout to plan for the final assault.
This tenacity of the Trail Blazers is terrifying, maybe at this moment the Supersonics players will calm down and think:
This is the Portland Trail Blazers, winners of 6 championships in the past 8 years, the true dominators.
The short timeout quickly ends, and 5 seconds is just enough to execute an attack.
The Supersonics are worried about the Trail Blazers’ three-point shot, and Payton is chasing Daley Curry all over the court.
Sabonis, who was passing on the sideline, ends up passing it to the flank, and Gan Guoyang takes the ball.
At about 12 feet from the basket, he catches the ball, dribbles, turns, steps, and executes a move hook shot!
The ball traces a beautiful arc, falling steadily into the basket, two points made!
Bill Schonely shouted the familiar "Moon hook!"
The Rose Garden Arena erupts in cheers, shrinking the point difference to just 1 point.
Including this shot, Gan Guoyang only scored 6 points in the third quarter.
points in the first half, 6 points in the third quarter, thus far Gan Guoyang only has 12 points.
With 2 seconds left for the Supersonics, Payton tries an ultra-long shot from the back court.
Even though the likelihood of making it is low, Gan Guoyang still sides up and blocks the shot.
After successfully blocking, Gan Guoyang points at Payton and says: "Gary, are you tired?"
Chewing gum, Payton disdainfully replies: "Tired? I’m damn never tired, even if..."
Originally, Payton was about to blurt out trash talk, that he would not be tired even after spending three more hours with your girlfriend.
But remembering he was talking to Ah Gan, he quickly held back, thinking to watch his mouth.
"Even if what? Were you about to trash talk? Since when did you become so polite, it almost makes me embarrassed."
"Don’t be like that, Sonny, I respect you."
"Thank you, in the fourth quarter I’ll respect you too."
"I won’t rest a minute in the fourth quarter, you’d better get ready."
Gan Guoyang issued a warning and ultimatum to Payton and the Supersonics.
He did this deliberately, not to show off, but to exert psychological pressure on the Supersonics.
Payton knows Ah Gan always sticks to his word, and knows that Ah Gan has exceptional stamina.
He hasn’t exerted himself in the third quarter, surely saving strength for the final quarter.
Sure enough, during the break, when George Karl was about to substitute Payton out for rest, Payton refused.
"No, I can’t rest, Ah Gan won’t rest, I have to keep playing."
"But it’s really time for your rest, continuous battles will wear you out."
"But Ah Gan won’t, he’ll destroy us in the fourth quarter, I need to stay on the court."
Karl shared the same concern as Payton, and ultimately kept Payton on the court.
As a result, at the very start of the fourth quarter, Gan Guoyang actually rested on the bench!
Payton saw Gan Guoyang drinking Gatorade, wiping sweat with a towel, and he was furious.
"Sonny! You said you wouldn’t rest a minute in the fourth quarter!"
Gan Guoyang, sipping water, said: "You believe what I say? Where’s your brain? Can’t you think for yourself?"
"Tonight, we’re opponents, Gary! You’re still adorably dumb like in high school!"
Gan Guoyang’s strategic deception caused Payton’s mindset to explode.
Continuous battles led to his physical exhaustion and declining focus.
At this time, Terry Porter returns to the game after treatment.
Facing Payton’s sluggish footsteps, Porter hits his first three-pointer of the game.
The Trail Blazers successfully overtake the score!
Inside, Kemp singles out Davis to score two points, putting the Supersonics back in the lead.
The two teams began to see-saw in the early fourth quarter for a few minutes, and Payton was starting to falter.
During a dead ball, he asked George Karl to substitute him out for some rest.
In fact, it wasn’t just Payton, the whole Supersonics team was worn out by the Trail Blazers.
Of course, the Trail Blazers players were also tired, it wasn’t just this game.
For nine seasons, the Trail Blazers had to play at least 100 games each season.
From 1985 to today, to be able to sustain this, truly requires superior physical fitness.
Kossie couldn’t hold on, and Porter was also struggling, both were among the earliest veterans.
Gan Guoyang is the only one who can sustain, and the more he sustains, the better his state becomes like a god.
When Payton went down, Gan Guoyang took off his tracksuit and reentered the court.
His appearance on the court was just like the entrance ceremony of the first quarter.
Lively spirit, bright-eyed, expressive bodily movements, stirring the audience’s emotions like an eggbeater.
Seeing Gan Guoyang like this, Payton knew in his heart it was bad news, we’re going to lose.
Sure enough, as soon as Gan Guoyang entered, he received the ball from outside, a simple screen, and charged directly down the middle to the basket!
This step was really fast, completely different from the previous three quarters, and he dashed into the Three Second Zone.
No one from the Supersonics dared to block, blocking would mean fouling, and maybe even getting injured.
The result was, Gan Guoyang charged into the basket and completed a one-handed powerful slam dunk!
This shot scored, announcing the Trail Blazers’ full-scale counterattack.
The Supersonics, after an intense half-court game of running and defense, have reached their physical limits.
They couldn’t attack the basket anymore, turning to shooting from the outside, resulting in Pierce’s missed long shot.
Gan Guoyang jumped high to grab the defensive rebound, and upon landing, immediately launched a counterattack.
A dribble spin move past Kemp, and an easy layup as he attacked the basket.